Of course, your cookies will be great with jarred applesauce too. There are so many varieties of applesauce to chose from - smooth, chunky, sweetened, unsweetened, plain, or spicy. Select the style of applesauce you like best for your old-fashioned applesauce cookies.

Easy Applesauce Jumbles Cookies

I've got three great apple cookies recipes for you to choose from - one is a traditional from scratch applesauce cookie recipe, the other is a shortcut cookie recipe that uses a spice cake mix and the last is for easy, old-fashioned applesauce jumble cookies.

What could be simpler?

I love using cake mix cookie recipes when I want the satisfaction of homemade cookies in less time with fewer ingredients.

Before beginning to bake cookies, always remember to position one of your oven racks in the center of your oven.

And always cool your cookie sheets completely before placing cookie dough on them to prevent spreading!

Applesauce Cookies Recipe

This cookies recipe calls for a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a more wholesome cookie but you can use all all-purpose or all whole wheat if you prefer. To make these extra special, spread the tops of them with the brown butter icing recipe provided.

In a medium size bowl whisk the flours, spices, baking soda, and salt until well blended and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.

Beat in the egg and applesauce then stir in the flour mixture until just combined.

Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until no indentation remains when touched and light golden brown around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack with a spatula.

Ice cookies if desired.

This recipe yields about 4 dozen Applesauce Cookies.

Recipe source: Betty Crocker's Cookie Book (1985)

Icing for Applesauce Cookies

In a small saucepan heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat until the butter turns a light golden brown. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups confectioners sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and desired consistency is achieved. Ice cool applesauce cookies.

Cake Mix Cookies Recipe - Shortcut Applesauce Cookies

1 (18.25-ounce) package spice cake mix

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1 large egg

1 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick foil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl beat the cake mix, oil, applesauce, and egg with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until well blended.

Easy Recipe for Homemade Slow Cooker Applesauce

For truly made from scratch applesauce cookies, make a batch of homemade applesauce in your slow cooker.

8 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks (6 cups)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup water

1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)

Combine all ingredients in Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot) and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high 3 to 4 hours. Stir until well blended. If you want smoother applesauce, mash with a potato masher or puree in the blender.

Easy Applesauce Jumbles Recipe

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup raisins

1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Brown Butter Glaze (see below)

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (except raisins, nuts and Brown Butter Glaze) and mix with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.